While not yet recognized as “The World’s Largest Yard Sale”, this event has grown each and every year and this year more than 125 homes participated.  Items sold included a bit of everything from athletic equipment, furniture, and children’s items, to electronics, lawn and garden tools and so much more! Residents who were not selling their “goods” were found shopping the sale and taking advantage of the great items at great prices. Many were just catching up with each other as the day presented the perfect time to enjoy established friendships. Those new to the area got a glimpse of life inside Whitney Ranch.  There were even those “Early Birds” who arrived before the sale even began searching for rare and unusual items.

A local Realtor® who lives in the community generously sponsors the sale and places ads in the local newspapers as well as online and even hands out coffee and maps of participating homes on sale day. (Last year over 600 maps were given away!) The community Boy Scout Troop helps out on the sale day by posting signs and collecting canned food donations for the Placer Food bank. Following the sale a community charity such as Goodwill and Desert Industries do a post event pick up. This is a popular event that benefits so many people in and out of the community including our residents as well as local charities and organizations.

But if you missed out this year, mark your calendars for next year.  And remember, big garage sale equal big crowds which equal big sales.

BloodSource supplies blood and blood components to patients in need throughout Northern and Central California. At least half of this comes from mobile blood drives. These drives also allow BloodSource to provide blood to our local hospitals, during disaster relief efforts, as well as advance the science of blood services technology, but the most important thing these drives do is save lives.  BloodSource must collect about 700 units of blood per day to meet local demands. But only 38 percent of people in the U.S. are eligible to donate, and less than 10 percent actually do.

While residents are being asked to volunteer in advance drop in spaces will also be available. The Whitney Ranch Community Association will provide snacks and beverages for all those who donate. BloodSource hopes to collect a minimum of 25 pints of blood. For those residents who can’t participate, consider volunteering at one of BloodSources’ locations where you can help with a variety of activities from greeting donors to hosting a refreshment area.  Giving your time can make a big difference.

In addition to this event we are looking to also add other health and safety events to our residents throughout the year including Child Fingerprinting, Family First Aid, Disaster Preparedness Training and CPR classes as well as babysitter training for 11 – 15 year olds through the local Red Cross.

To learn more about the importance of donating blood please visit Bloodsource.

Summer is a welcome relief for many children as they are able to relax and recharge their brain batteries but tying lessons into summer activities makes learning fun so that it doesn’t seem like a chore for your child. This summer, learn while playing!

Find teaching moments in fun activities like these:

• Baking cookies?  Measuring ingredients while helping in the kitchen makes fractions fun…and tasty
• Playing cards, chess and checkers helps strengthen problem solving strategies
• Counting Monopoly™ money is a great way to continue working on math skills
• Look for ways to encourage students to keep a journal about their experiences during summer trips

The biggest suggestion is for parents to keep their kids reading throughout the summer. Many of the local libraries have summer reading programs that offer students incentives for completing a certain number of books during the summer months. Going to the library is also a great way to allow children the freedom to choose their own reading material.

In addition to public libraries, Sunset Elementary School through the University of Pacific, Center for Professional and Continuing Education offers a Summer Reading Skills Program for 4-year-olds up to 11^th graders.  For more information about their summer program please visit the Sunset Ranch Elementary School website.

Summer day camps are great for social interaction and can be fun and instructive too. The Rocklin Parks and Recreation Department has a number of summer camps with fun themes designed for all age ranges.  Take a look at thier recreation guide to learn more. 

All of Whitney Ranch’s builders feature Energy Star certified homes and many offer solar power as an option.  What does Energy Star mean to you?  To earn the Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.  So your new home will have energy efficient appliances, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and tighter sealed homes which translate into lower utility bills.

Our builders continually look at how people live and what they desire and explore new ways to design the home, so your home conforms to you, you don’t conform to the home.  Its nice knowing you can give your new home that special look that reflects your own style and taste.

Now add to the fact that Whitney Ranch’s is located in one of the healthiest counties in the State, is nestled among the rolling Sierra foothills, strategically located in the highly-rated Rocklin Unified School District and I-80 is nearby giving you easy access to nearby shopping, dining, recreation and cultural arts, it’s easy to see why buying new makes sense. With prices starting in the low $300’s, our Homefinder is a great place to start your search for a home in our community, it’s where you will find elevations, floor plans and pricing. Be sure and check out our interactive community map to explore all Whitney Ranch has to offer.

Recently residents had the choice between Cars, Kung Fu Panda or Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and the big winner was Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  While there is plenty of seating available for everyone the most popular place for the children is on the floor. Families bring pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags and claim their own spot to view the movie.

Projected on a big screen and utilizing the built in sound system you’d think you were truly in the theater. There are a variety of movie treats to enjoy including popcorn, chips, cookies, and more!  Oh, and of course a wide selection of soft drinks are offered so your favorite drink is available.

After popular demand there have been teen movie nights too!  So whether it’s teen night out or family night out residents can come and enjoy a movie theater experience with all the comforts of home!

With so many residents who enjoy sewing and quilting who want to join together to share their skills and expertise with each other it’s not a surprise this group was formed. The Club will select projects to work on and complete together at their club meetings and all levels from beginning to advanced are encouraged and welcome to join.  They are also planning what will prove to be a cherished project - a special quilt to display at the Ranch House! Bring your ideas and bring your supplies and join this fun, friendly group of sewing hobbyists. With so many unique and great Clubs at Whitney Ranch you will find something that matches your hobbies and interest and of course new groups are always starting!

With so many residents who enjoy sewing and quilting who want to join together to share their skills and expertise with each other it’s not a surprise this group was formed. The Club will select projects to work on and complete together at their club meetings and all levels from beginning to advanced are encouraged and welcome to join.  They are also planning what will prove to be a cherished project - a special quilt to display at the Ranch House! Bring your ideas and bring your supplies and join this fun, friendly group of sewing hobbyists. With so many unique and great Clubs at Whitney Ranch you will find something that matches your hobbies and interest and of course new groups are always starting!

With the arrival of cooler climates comes the arrival of our  annual charitable giving traditions. Throughout the year we each have special organizations that we support but as a community for the past three years we have teamed up with Toys for Tots as a drop off location for their toy collection program. The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as gifts to needy children in the community. We also have teamed up with the Placer Food Bank in collection of canned goods for needy families in Placer County. The Placer Food Bank serves thousands in need throughout Placer and surrounding counties.

Each year the residents at Whitney Ranch seem to surpass what they gave the prior year which is a testament to how much they enjoying giving back and how the community truly comes together in the spirit of giving.  To learn more about the community, its events and programs take a peek at the resident’s website at www.WeAreWhitneyRanch.com

Whitney Ranch’s exceptional community amenities include the Ranch House with its resort style swimming pool, outdoor cabanas, fitness classes and multi-functional meeting rooms for special events, 40-acre community park with The Audubon Garden, neighborhood parks, and miles of trails, and two new schools that are in the highly regarded Rocklin Unified School District.

When shopping for a new home at Whitney Ranch you will have a choice of homebuilders that are among the most well-known in country.  Whether you are looking for a larger home near the schools for your growing family or one close to a park to enjoy all the outdoor has to offer, you can find the ideal home for your family, lifestyle and budget in Whitney Ranch.

The Homefinder is a great place to start you search for a home in our community, it’s where you will find elevations, floor plans and pricing. Be sure and check out our interactive community map to explore all Whitney Ranch has to offer.

Whitney Ranch is located just 27 miles from downtown Sacramento in the City of Rocklin and affords residents nearby shopping, dining, recreation and cultural arts for every taste and budget.  With its casual small town charm, you’ll get a welcoming

Listening to what our resident’s desire is what helps make Whitney Ranch so unique.  A friendly, approachable community environment is what buyers are looking for and we pride ourselves in listening.  After many requests, the community recently announced that  Zumba classes are now being offered at the Ranch House!

Zumba is the latest fun fitness craze and Whitney Ranch is thrilled to be offering it to residents at no charge. It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-class great for all fitness levels. Classes are one hour in length and meet one evening each week. Our wonderful, enthusiastic, certified Zumba Instructor Adrianne Moss is also certified to teach children’s Zumba (Zumbatomic) and jazz dance for all ages.

If demand is high we hope to add these classes to our calendar in the New Year. When you become a resident at Whitney Ranch you can learn about all of our fitness activities on the community website – www.WeAreWhitneyRanch.com.